Inflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating same

ABSTRACT

An article of luggage having a semi-rigid frame made from an inflatable member is disclosed. The article of luggage is readily inflated from a deflated state in which it is conveniently stored when not in use. The article of luggage is provided with a set of wheels and a telescoping handle that are attachable to the article of luggage when in the inflated state, for easily rolling and pulling or pushing the inflated article of luggage about over the ground.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication, Ser. No. 60/662,409, filed Mar. 16, 2005, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying cases for transporting oneor a plurality of solid objects, such as an article of luggage forcarrying clothes and the like. More particularly, the invention relatesto carrying cases and articles of luggage, which are alternativelyinflatable and deflatable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carrying cases for solid objects, particularly articles of luggage forcarrying clothing and the like, have evolved over the years from thelarge, bulky, and heavy steamer trunks in widespread use over a century,first to rigid, hard-side luggage and then to soft-side luggage with arigid frame. Over the years conveniences have been added to luggage tofacilitate its carrying and movement including the addition of fixedrolling wheels for transporting the luggage over the ground andtelescoping pulling/pushing handles for guiding the luggage when it isbeing wheeled about. The goal of luggage designers has always been tominimize the weight of the article of luggage itself while maximizingits carrying capacity. Another important object of luggage designers isto minimize the exterior volume of the article of luggage. In order tominimize the space it occupies during use and, more importantly, whenbeing kept in storage between uses.

Ideally, an article of luggage should have a large carrying capacityduring use, and should be capable of being collapsed or folded when notin use so as to minimize its storage volume.

One proposed solution to the problem has been to develop inflatableluggage which can be inflated to form a semi-rigid carrying case duringuse and which is also capable of being deflated and collapsed and foldedup for convenient storage when in a deflated state.

One such article of inflatable luggage has previously been disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,044,867 to Fisher for inflatable luggage, issued Aug.30, 1977. The '867 patent discloses an article of inflatable luggagethat can be fabricated and produced in any geometric shape or form,utilizing heat-sealable flexible material with the article of luggagehaving a side, top, bottom and endwalls, at least some of which havecommunicating air chambers and passages therein for providing aninflatable semi-rigid enclosures. When deflated the luggage may beflattened and rolled-up for storage.

One disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent is thatother than providing a regular carrying handle on one of the sidewallsfor carrying the case when in an inflated state, it does not providemeans for conveniently rolling the article of luggage when in aninflated state and containing objects therein and it does not providefor a telescoping handle for pulling or pushing the inflated and filledarticle of luggage, as such wheels and a handle are typically affixed toother rigid and semi-rigid articles of luggage in common used today.

Another disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent isthat inflated article of such luggage have a “air mattress” exteriorappearance due to the presence of the plurality of ribbed, inflated airchambers which are evident on the exterior of the article of luggage.This produces a generally non-aesthetic effect.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of luggage for an article ofluggage that is both inflatable and deflatable, and which also providesfor conveniently attachable rolling wheels and a pulling/pushing handlefor ease in transporting the article of luggage over the ground when inan inflated state and containing objects therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages heretofore associated with the prior art are overcomeby the present invention of an article of luggage which is bothinflatable and deflatable, and which is provided with attached rollingwheels and a telescoping pulling/pushing handle that are attachable tothe article of luggage when in an inflated state.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide carrying casesand other articles of luggage that are inflatable and deflatable, andwhich are sturdy, light in weight, capable of supporting a substantialweight of contents when in an inflated state, without deforming orlosing shape, which are provided with both rolling wheels and apulling/pushing telescoping handle that can be conveniently attached tothe article of luggage when in an inflated state, and which areconveniently foldable for storage when not in use, as well are simpleand inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable anddeflatable article of luggage, which when inflated, has a smoothexterior surface and aesthetic appearance that does not indicate thatthe article of luggage is inflated when it is, in fact, in an inflatedstate.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable anddeflatable article of luggage which when inflated, and particularly whenempty of any contents, can also be used as an emergency flotationdevice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Thenovel features of this invention are pointed out in the set of claimsannexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully described and may be more readilyunderstood by reference to the accompanying set of drawing figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of luggage according to thepresent invention, shown in its inflated state in dashed lines and inits deflated state in solid lines, together with the assembled rollingwheels and telescoping handle for attachment thereto and with aninflation air pump used to inflate the article of luggage for placementand storage on the inflated article of luggage;

FIG. 2 is an inflated article of luggage according to the presentinvention with an inlet port for insertion of an inflation tool and aninflation air pump shown proximal thereto;

FIG. 3 is a detailed exploded view of the inflation air port and valvealong line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the article of inflatable luggage with thenozzle of an inflation air pump being shown inserted therein;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of theinflated air chamber forming a side wall of an article of luggage, withdetails of a plurality of pneumatically communicating air chambers beingshown therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 of theinflated air bladder of the side wall of the article of luggage showingthe construction of a plurality of pneumatically communicating airchambers at a corner of the article of luggage in such a way so as toprovide a smooth rounded corner;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an assembled rolling wheels and telescopingpulling/pushing handle sub-assembly for attachment to an inflatedarticle of luggage according to the present invention with details ofcooperating snap closures on a wall of the article of luggage beingshown;

FIG. 7 is a view of an assembled inflated article of luggage and rollingwheels and telescoping handle sub-assembly according to the presentinvention, shown in vertical standing upright position, with analternative, tilted position of the assembled article such as forpulling or pushing the article, being shown in shadow outline;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view looking vertically downward of the telescopinghandle and attachment bracket;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 of the pointof attachment of the telescoping handle and attachment-bracket to theouter wall of the inflated piece of luggage according to the presentinvention, utilizing cooperating parts of snap closures;

FIG. 10 shows a substantially rectangular corner of an article ofluggage according to the present invention with an outer fabric coveringover the inflatable air bladder;

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 of theinflated sidewall of an article of luggage according to the presentinvention having a single air chamber therein;

FIG. 12 is a detailed cross-sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 10of a portion of a side and a corner of an article of luggage accordingto the present invention having a plurality of segmented air chamberstherein;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aninflatable article of luggage according to the present invention, havinga dual longitudinal post telescoping handle;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are detailed perspective views of an assembled rollingwheels and dual handle telescoping pulling/pushing handle sub-assemblyfor attachment to an inflated article of luggage according to thepresent invention with details of cooperating snap closures on a wall ofthe article of luggage being shown, showing alternative brackets forattachment to the article of luggage;

FIGS. 15 a-15 e illustrate other alternative embodiments of articles ofinflatable luggage according to the present invention, having a numberof representative shapes incorporating various linear and arcuateportions, alone and in combination;

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of an article of luggage according tothe present invention having a substantially round cross sectional shapein the plane of the top and bottom, and representationally showing oneconfiguration of the multiple cells or segments of the inflated airbladder for an article of luggage with arcuate shaped sides; and

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a cart with rolling wheels andtelescoping handle suitable for carrying an article of luggage accordingto the present invention with an arcuately shaped lower side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to carrying cases fortransporting one or a plurality of solid objects, such as an article ofluggage for carrying clothes and the like. More particularly, theinvention relates to carrying cases and articles of luggage, which arealternatively inflatable and deflatable. When inflated, the carryingcases and articles of luggage maintain a semi-rigid form capable ofsupporting the weight of contents place therein; and when deflated, theyare readily collapsible for convenient storage. The invention still moreparticularly relates to inflatable and deflatable carrying cases andarticles of luggage which, when in the inflated state, are capable ofconveniently being carried about and transported by being pulled orpushed and rolled over the ground by virtue of their having rollingwheels and a pulling/pushing handle attached thereto for convenience inwheeled transport over the ground.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numeralsrefer to identical or similar elements, FIGS. 1 and 13 show aninflatable article of luggage 10 according to the present invention,which is shown in an inflated state (in dashed lines), with the twoarticles of luggage 10 being provided respectively with single post anddouble post telescoping handle attachable wheeled handle carts; and FIG.2 also shows an inflated article of luggage 10 according to the presentinvention, together with an inflation port 12 and valve 14 and with ahand-held air inflation pump being illustrated adjacent thereto.

An article of luggage 10 according to the present invention includes afluid-tight bladder 20 made from a flexible, fluid-impervious andgenerally puncture-resistant material, with the bladder 20 having afirst, outer wall 22 and second, inner wall. The outer and inner wallsof the bladder 20 are alternatively formed from either two separate flatsheets of material that are sealed to one another in a fluid-tightmatter along corresponding, opposite side ends 28 of the sheets or thebladder 20 is made from a single sheet of material which is folded oversuch that opposite side ends 28 of the material are sealed to oneanother in a fluid-tight manner, thereby forming a sleeve 27. Thebladder 20 is made completely fluid-tight by having the ends thereofsealed, alternatively, separately or to one another to form a continuousenclosed bladder 20 where the opposite longitudinal ends of the bladder20 are separately sealed and the ends are attached to one another usingother means to form a continuous enclosed shape when inflated. Thisenclosed shape, when inflated, also serves to define an object-carryingvolume 11 in an internal space formed by the enclosed, inflated airbladder.

This enclosed space may take any form and shape, however, typically itis arranged in a rectangular shape that is typical for a suitcase orarticle of luggage 10. When inflated the air bladder 20 forms asemi-rigid, closed, continuous enclosure that constitutes the side wallsof the article of luggage 10. The side-ends of this enclosure arecovered with a fabric material that forms the top and bottom of thearticle of luggage 10 as described below.

The inflated bladder 20 may form a single continuous fluid-tightchamber, or alternatively, the sides of the bladder 20 may beconstructed so as to have a plurality of ribs running longitudinallyacross the material to form a plurality of individually separatedchambers that are in fluid communication with one another.

The bladder 20, and in certain embodiments, the individual air chambersthereof, are inflatable with a fluid, typically a gas. The gases mostcommonly used include air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

The bladder 20 is fitted with an inflation port 12 and valve 14, whichis preferably positioned such that it faces towards the inner,object-carrying volume 11 of the article of luggage 10 when in aninflated state. Preferably, the inlet port 12 and valve 14 is located atthe juncture of a corner of the article of luggage 10, as shown in FIG.2. The valve 14 is typically a one-way valve such as is used forinflating air mattresses and the like, as shown in FIG. 3. In order tominimize a smooth, outer surface and aesthetic appearance, articles ofluggage 10 according to the present invention have the inner inflatablebladder 20 covered with a material covering on the outer surfacesthereof. This outer material covering also provides the top and bottomof the article of luggage 10.

The pressure in the bladder 20 upon inflation is from about two (2) psigto about fifteen (15) psig, and, in any case, is sufficient to fullyinflate the bladder 20 to a semi-rigid state wherein it is capable ofproviding the frame for the article of luggage 10 that can support theweight of objects placed inside the fully inflated case.

Reversible closure means 16 (FIG. 1) are attached along the edge of theouter covering material along at least several sides of the article ofluggage 10. In a typical four-sided rectangular-shaped case, thereversible closure means 16 is attached to three of the side edges.Typically the reversible closure means 16 is a metal or plastic zipper.

An article of luggage 10 according to the present invention generallyincludes the following elements in addition to the fluid-tight bladder20. A top wall 32 and a bottom wall 34, which together with the sidewall36, define the enclosed carrying space of the luggage or case 10 intowhich objects are placeable for carriage. The top and bottom walls areformed of a flexible, semi-rigid material 30, and each has an innersurface facing the interior of the case and an outer surface facing theexterior of the case. The top wall 32 is detachably attached to thesidewall 36 about at least a portion of a periphery thereof, such thatwhen the sidewall 36 is inflated, the case 10 is assembled in anobject-carrying mode.

An outer fabric covering 30 covers the inner and outer walls of thesidewall 36 and the inner and outer surfaces of the top and bottom walls32 and 34. The outer fabric covering 30 helps to protect the bladder 20from being punctured. The outer fabric covering 30 is made from aflexible, fluid- impervious, and preferably puncture-resistant material.

At least one closure means 16, alternatively openable and closeable, isprovided for allowing access to the object-carrying volume 11 of thecase 10 when in the inflated state.

Referring to FIG. 7, carrying means 18 is attached to the outside of thecase 10 over the outer fabric covering 30 and to the outer wall of thesidewall 36, for carrying the case 10 when it is inflated in theobject-carrying mode.

Handle means with attachable wheels, such as a wheeled handle cart 50,is provided for pulling or pushing the case along the ground when it isinflated in the object-carrying mode.

The article of luggage 10 is fabricated so that the outer and innerwalls 22 and 24 of the bladder 20 are formed in such manner so as toprovide a plurality of fluid-tight chambers 23 in fluid communicationwith one another. This is accomplished by provision of a plurality ofribs 26 in the material of at least one of the outer and inner walls,which ribs form a plurality of tubular chambers, as shown in FIGS. 4 and5.

Alternatively, the bladder 20 may be compartmentalized into a pluralityof fluid-tight cells or compartments 40, by dividers 38, as shown inFIG.12 for a straight-sided article of luggage 10 and in FIG. 16 for anarticle of luggage 10 with an arcuately shaped side wall. Thisembodiment has the advantage that if one of the individual compartments40 should develop a leak and become deflated, the entire inflated frameof the case will not deflate.

In the simplest embodiment, the air bladder 20 is a single, non-ribbed,non-compartmentalized structure, as shown in FIG. 11. Where a singlecompartment bladder 20 is used, it is recommended that the bladder 20 bemade from a highly puncture-resistant material in order to preventcomplete deflation of the entire case if the bladder 20 should becomepunctured. A self-sealing rubber material may also be used for anyembodiment of the bladder 20 in order to reduce and/or stop leakage ifthe bladder material is punctured.

It is, however, preferred that the inflatable sidewall surfaces of thecase be ribbed so as to provide increased support; to enable thesurfaces to more easily be made to a greater variety of shapes; and tomore readily retain such shapes and resist the formation of bulges oraneurysms on the surfaces when the case is inflated.

Articles of luggage 10 according to the present invention can befabricated in virtually any shape. The bladder itself provides thesemi-rigid frame of the luggage 10. The luggage 10 can take on any shapecombining straight sections or sides, arcuate portions and interveningangles or rounded bends. Typically, the bladder 20 is shaped, and anobject-carrying volume 11 of the case in an inflated state is therebydefined, such that the sidewall 36 has an inflated configurationselected from the group consisting of: a configuration that includes aplurality of angles and a corresponding plurality of linear sidesegments between the angles, such in as a square or rectangular shapedpiece of luggage; a configuration that includes at least one arcuateside segment, such as a completely rounded piece of luggage, typicallysuch as a hatbox; and a configuration that includes at least one linearside segment and at least one arcuate side segment.

Although virtually any shape and configuration that the bladder 20 canbe made to attain is possible, as a practical matter of construction, anarticle of luggage 10 according to the present invention is typicallymade so that the sidewall 36 of the case has from three angles and threelinear side segments (i.e., a triangular-shaped article of luggage) totwelve angles and twelve linear side segments. Beyond about twelveseparate side segments, it becomes less expensive to fabricate theluggage in a completely rounded shape.

FIGS. 15 a through 15 e illustrate various non-limiting embodiments ofalternative shapes for an article of inflatable luggage 10 according tothe present invention, having various arcuate and linear side wallportions 36, alone or in various combinations. Thus, FIG. 15 a shows anarticle of luggage 10 having a substantially circular side wall 36, suchas is typically used for a hat box or a portable vanity traveling case.FIG. 15 b shows an article of luggage 10 having a substantially arcuateside wall over most of its periphery, but having a straight linear topside wall 36. FIG. 15 c shows an article of luggage 10 that issubstantially the same as that shown in FIG. 15 b, but also having astraight linear lower sidewall portion. FIG. 15 d shows an article ofluggage 10 having a substantially rectangular side wall shapeencompassing three sides of its periphery, but having an arcuate,semi-circular shaped upper sidewall portion. FIG. 15 e shows arepresentative article of luggage 10 having all linear sidewallportions, with a number of such sidewall portions greater than the foursides of a square or rectangular case. The article shown in FIG. 15 efor illustrative purposes is hexagonal shaped, having six sidewallportions. As previously discussed, although there is no limit to thenumber of sidewall portions that can be incorporated in an article ofluggage 10 according to the present invention, as a practical matter,there is no real need to go beyond about a twelve sided case, dueprincipally to fabrication complexities of manufacturing the inflatableair bladder for a case with more sides, and the costs associatedtherewith. Beyond more than about twelve sides, it is more practical andeconomical to fabricate the case as circular shaped or having at leastseveral arcuate segments 46, especially since as the number of linearsidewall segments increases, the shape of the article of luggage 10begins to approximate the shape of a circle or other arcuate shapeanyway.

The most typical configuration for an article of luggage 10 according tothe invention is one wherein the sidewall 36 of the case has from fourangles and four linear side segments to eight angles and eight linearside segments. This encompasses square and rectangular-shaped cases, upto octagonal-shaped ones.

The most typical shape is one, wherein the sidewall 36 of the case hasfour angles and four linear side segments, such as for a square orrectangular-shaped case.

In the most typical configurations, articles of luggage 10 according tothe present invention are fabricated such that all angles are equal. Forsquare-shaped cases, moreover, all four straight side segments are ofequal length. For the conventional rectangular-shaped case, there aretwo pairs of side segments of different lengths.

For square and rectangular-shaped cases, all four angles are rightangles.

For a square case, the sidewall 36 has a generally square shape in theinflated state. When viewed from the perspective of the top or bottomwall of the case, there are two pairs of parallel side segments of thesidewall 36 that are perpendicular to one another, and all fourindividual side segments of the sidewall 36 are of equal length.

For a rectangular case, the sidewall 36 has a generally rectangularshape in the inflated state, when viewed from the perspective of the topor bottom wall, there are two pairs of parallel side segments of thesidewall 36 that are perpendicular to one another, and a first pair ofparallel side segments of the sidewall 36 have a first length, and asecond pair of parallel side segments of the sidewall 36 that areperpendicular to the first pair of side segments of the sidewall 36 havea second length, which is different from the length of the first pair ofparallel side segments of the sidewall 36.

For an article of luggage 10 according to the present invention that hasa rounded circular, ellipsoidal, or ovoid shape, the sidewall 36 isfabricated as a single continuous arcuate section.

For an article of luggage 10 according to the present invention that hasa fully rounded circular shape, the single continuous arcuate section ofthe sidewall 36 has a generally round shape in the inflated state, whenviewed from the perspective of the top or bottom wall of the case, suchthat the sidewall 36 forms a continuous circle with no angular bendstherein.

Articles of luggage 10 having complex shapes combining straight linearsections with angular bends between the straight sections and arcuatesections with rounded bends therebetween can be fabricated. In suchembodiments, the sidewall 36 has an inflated configuration that includesat least one linear side segment and at least one arcuate side segment.

In one embodiment of case according to the present invention, as shownin FIG. 15 d, a lower portion of the sidewall 36 in the inflated state,when viewed from the perspective of the top or bottom wall, has twoouter linear side segments 42 and one inner linear side segment 44 thatare contiguously joined to one another at two right angles, and an upperportion of the sidewall in the inflated state, when viewed from theperspective of the top or bottom wall, has a single semi-circulararcuate segment 46, which is joined at one end thereof to one of the twoouter linear side segments, and at an opposite end thereof, is joined tothe other of the two outer linear side segments, such that overall thesidewall has square or rectangular lower shape and a semicircular uppershape, when viewed from the perspective of the top or bottom wall of thecase in an inflated state in the object-carrying mode.

In another embodiment of case according to the present invention, asshown in FIG. 15 a, the sidewall 36 has a generally round shape in theinflated state, when viewed from the perspective of the top or bottomwall of the case 10, such that the sidewall 36 forms a continuous circleover substantially the entire periphery of the case, and such that thesidewall has a linear segment along a lower portion of the periphery ofthe case, when viewed from the perspective of the top or bottom wall ofthe case and with the case standing vertically, so as to provide a flatbase on which the case rests when standing vertically in an inflatedstate in the object-carrying mode, to prevent the case from rolling.

A variety of closure means 16 can be provided for cases according to thepresent invention. At least one closure means 16 is positioned in alocation selected from the group consisting of: the top wall 32 of thecase, the bottom wall 34 of the case, the sidewall 36 of the case, andat a junction of at least one segment of the sidewall of the case withat least one segment of the top or bottom wall of the case.

Most typically, there is a closure means 16 in an upper segment of thesidewall 36 of the case, as viewed from the perspective of the top orbottom wall of the case 10, with the case standing vertically on a lowersegment of the sidewall, in an inflated state in the object-carryingmode.

According to at least one embodiment of case according to the presentinvention, there is a closure means 16 attached to the juncture of thetop wall and the sidewall of the case.

For a square or rectangular shaped case, the closure means 16 isattached to a juncture of the top wall 32 and the sidewall 36 of thecase and extends around a three linear side segment portion of theperiphery of the juncture, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 10, for most square or rectangular-shaped cases, thethree linear side segments 40 of the case around which the closure means16 extends are an upper and two side linear side segments of the case,as viewed from the perspective of the top or bottom wall of the casewhen in an inflated state, with the case standing vertically on afourth, lower linear side segment of the sidewall along which theclosure means 16 does not extend.

For a round case, the closure means 16 is attached to a juncture of thetop wall and the sidewall of the case and extends around substantiallythe entire circumference of the juncture.

For generally rounded cases that also have at least one straight sidealong their bottom edge to stabilize them and prevent the case formrolling, the closure means 16 in FIG. 15 d is attached to a juncture ofthe top wall 22 and the sidewall 16 of the case and extends around theentire circular portion of the circumference of the juncture, but notalong the linear segment along a lower portion of the periphery of thecase.

Typically, the closure means 16 is a zipper, the components of which,including the track and the fastening mechanism may be made of metal orplastic.

The bladder 20 is typically made from a soft and pliable plastic orrubber material. The bladder material is generally selected from thegroup consisting of: poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU)—coatednylon, mylar, and latex.

The outer fabric covering 30 for an article of luggage 10 according tothe present invention is typically made from a soft and pliable plastic,rubber, s fabric, plastic- or rubber-treated fabric, or leathermaterial. Generally, the outer fabric material 30 is selected from thegroup consisting of: poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC), nylon, canvas,PVC-backed canvas, natural leather, and artificial leather.

An inflatable article of luggage 10 according to the present inventioncan be inflated utilizing substantially any fluid, either gas or liquid.Weight considerations generally mandate use of a gas. However, undercertain special, circumstances, such as for cases used to protect andcarry delicate or sensitive items that need to be protected from shockor damage, certain liquids or gels can be used to inflate the bladder 20of the case. Most typically, however, for ordinary carrying cases andarticles of luggage 10, the fluid used is a gas. The gas should benon-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable. Most typically, air is usedas the inflation gas, although nitrogen and carbon-dioxide are commonlyreadily available gases that can also be used. Non-flammable,non-explosive lighter than air gases, such as helium, may be used underspecial circumstances to afford apparent weight-reducing buoyancy to thecase 10.

Generally, the inflatable bladder 20 is surrounded by a girdle ofmaterial that maintains the shape of the case when inflated and helps toprevent ballooning or the formation of a bulge or an aneurysm in thebladder 20, if the bladder becomes over-inflated. The material of thegirdle may be of a non-elastic material or an elastic material that has“give” to it and stretches somewhat up to a point as the bladder 20 isinflated. One preferred material for the girdle is a non-elastic nylonhaving a gauge of about 70 denier.

Typically, the carrying means 18 for the case is one or a plurality ofcarrying handles. Typically, two carrying handles are typicallyprovided, with one mounted to either side of the sidewall of the case,on the top and bottom walls of the case, as shown in FIG. 7. In certainembodiments, additional carrying handles may be positioned on other sidesurfaces of the case to facilitate carrying it in any orientation.

Additionally, the plurality of carrying handles 18 may optionally befurther provided with a combined gathering means 19 and hand grip whichenables the plurality of carrying handles to be gathered together andjoined in a detachably fastened manner to facilitate and makecomfortable carrying of the case.

The carrying handle or handles may be of any type and are rigid,semi-rigid, or soft. A rigid handle is made from a molded plastic orrubber material, or is made from a rubber, plastic, or leather materialwound over an inner stiffening and reinforcing material, such as wood,metal, cardboard, or wire. A semi-rigid handle is made from leather or asofter plastic material, such as vinyl. A soft handle is made from asoft rubber or plastic material, nylon, canvas, leather, rope, or cord,unreinforced with any stiffening material.

In fabricating a case 10 according to a particular shape, it isimportant that the bladder 20 be made in such a way that it is notsusceptible to local high pressure stress points caused by angular orarcuate bends in the inflated bladder 20. Accordingly, the overall caseshape-imparting angles in the bladder 20 are formed so that they have athickness that is less than the thickness of the bladder 20 at asidewall portion so that an angular bend can be made therein withoutcausing a bulge or high pressure stress point in the bladder at anangular or arcuate bend 25 in the bladder, as is shown in FIGS. 5 and12.

The means for pulling or pushing the case 50 along a floor or groundsurface when it is inflated in the object-carrying mode generallyincludes a wheeled member or cart with wheels 51, to which the case 10is attachable, for providing rolling movement of the case over theground, and a pulling and pushing handle 52 that is attachable to atleast one of the case and the wheeled member 51, and preferably to both,by which the case is pullable or pushable while it is being rolled overa ground surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the wheeled member 51 includes a pair ofwheels 54 attached to an axle 56 that is rotatably mounted on a supportframe 58 upon which a wall of the case is positionable. Means fordetachably attaching (i.e., attaching means) 60 the case to the supportframe 58 of the wheeled member 51 is provided so that the wheeled member51 can be attached when the case 10 is inflated and removed when thecase is deflated.

The attachment means 60 may also include at least one cord, having firstand second ends, whereby a first end of the cord is attached to thesupport frame of the wheeled member, the cord is wound at least oncearound at least a portion of the case, and the second end of the cord isalso attached to the support frame of the wheeled element to therebyhold the case on the support frame of the wheeled member for wheeledtransport of the case using the wheeled member. The cord is typicallymade from an elastic, stretchable material. One example of such a cordis an elastic cord often referred to as a “bungee” cord, havingfastening means, such as hooks at each end, for attaching the cord tothe cart and/or handle after it is wrapped around the case.

The support frame 58 of the wheeled member 51 is made from a plastic ormetal material; and the wheels 54 of the wheeled member are made of aplastic or rubber material.

According to one preferred embodiment, the pulling and pushing handle 52includes a longitudinal element, having a length, a distal end 61 forattachment to the frame 58 of the wheeled member 51, and a proximal end62 for grasping, such that the pulling and pushing handle 52 extendsfrom a place of attachment to the wheeled member at its distal end 61,at least beyond a largest dimensions of the case when attached to thewheeled member 51, regardless of the orientation of the case thereon, sothat the pulling and pushing handle is graspable about its proximal end62, and such that the longitudinal element 52 of the pulling and pushinghandle 52 has sufficient rigidity to enable a case in the inflated stateand in a loaded object-carrying mode to be pulled or pushed withoutbuckling in resistance to a weight of the case and its contents.

For convenience in storage, the pulling and pushing handle is preferablymade to be telescoping. The telescoping handle 57 is made so that it isextendable from a telescoped length, which is generally no longer thanthe largest dimension of the article of luggage to which it is to beattached, as shown in FIG. 1, to at least its full length, which isgenerally sufficient to provide an extended length convenient for aperson of average height. In some embodiments of a telescoping handle57, the extended length of the handle is made adjustable by theprovision of locking means 64 on at least one intermediate position andpreferably at a plurality of positions of different lengths between thefully extended and the fully retracted positions, so as to accommodatepersons of different height. The pulling and pushing handle 52 and itstelescoping elements 57 are preferably made from a material selectedfrom the group consisting of plastic and metal.

In certain embodiments, the pulling and pushing handle 52 furtherincludes locking means 64 for holding the telescoping pulling andpushing handle element 57 at any position and length between its fullytelescoped position and its fully extended position.

In certain embodiments, the pulling and pushing handle 52 furtherincludes a transverse grasping element 66 at its proximal end. Thetransverse grasping element 66 is foldable against the longitudinalelement.

As is shown in FIG. 17, for certain embodiments of articles of luggage10 according to the present invention having a circular or arcuatelyshaped lower sidewall section (as viewed standing vertically lookingtoward the top or bottom wall) can have the lower, base plate portion 68of the wheeled, telescoping handle carrying cart provided thereformolded to have a contoured configuration to match the outline of theinflated article of luggage 10 so that the case rests more securely onthe wheeled cart 51 and will not tend to roll sideways off the cart.

In one embodiment, the pulling and pushing handle 52 is attached to thesupport frame 58 of the wheeled member 51 by at least one set-screw 59,as shown in FIG. 6. In that embodiment, as well as in others, thepulling and pushing handle 52 is also attachable to the case 10 byattachment means 60, when the case is in the inflated state, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Although it is generally sufficient to attach the case toonly either the wheeled cart 51 or the pulling/pushing handle 52, a moresecure attachment is obtained when the case is attached to both. Theattachment means 60 for attaching the pulling/pushing handle 52 directlyto the case 10 include at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of: a sheath 70 fixed to the outside of the outer fabriccovering 30 of the case 10, along a length of one of the walls of thecase, through which the handle 52 is insertable, as shown in FIGS. 1 and8; and at least one detachable fastener 72 for detachably fastening thehandle 52 to the outer fabric covering 30 of the case, as shown in FIGS.6 and 9. A combination of both an outer sheath and at least onedetachable fastener can also be used.

In one preferred embodiment, the at least one detachable fastener 72 isa snap closure, having one part thereof, such as a clip attached to thehandle and a second part 74 such as a receptacle, with which the firstpart 72 cooperates to effect fastening, being attached to the outerfabric covering 30 of the case 10, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. Typically,the sheath 70 is attached to the bottom wall 34 of the case 10, and ismade from the same material as the outer fabric covering of the case.

In alternative embodiments, alternative detachable fasteners 60, such asand including, but not limited to Velcro® fasteners, can be used toattach the handle 52 and wheeled cart assembly to the inflated articleof luggage 10.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a dual longitudinalpost telescoping pulling/pushing handle is provided. This configurationof handle has the advantage of providing a tighter attachment to theinflated article of luggage 10, and helps to keep the article of luggage10 from yawing from side to side when being pulled along. The dual mainlongitudinal vertical sections of the dual telescoping handle 52 can beattached to the inflated article of luggage 10 either individually bymeans of two separate brackets 60, each fitted with one side of at leastone pair of detachable fasteners 72, such as snap closures, thatcooperate with the opposite side of the corresponding number of the atleast one pair of detachable fasteners 74 attached to the outer surfaceof a wall 34 of the article of luggage 10, with one bracket 72 on eachmain vertical handle piece, as shown in FIG. 14 a, or alternatively,with a single bracket spanning both handles, as shown in FIG. 14 b. Asingle bracket 72 can be attached to the article of luggage 10 with asfew as two detachable fasteners 74, one at each outer extremity of thebracket, although it is preferable to use three detachable fasteners,with the third one being placed between the two longitudinal handleposts, as shown in FIG. 14 b.

Where a dual telescoping handle 57 is utilized, the necessarymodifications are also provided to the bottom frame 58 of the wheeledmember 51, by providing dual anchoring brackets 55, each with atightening screw 59, such as a wing screw, to hold its respectivevertical handle post 52 securely to the wheeled member 51. Additionally,where fabric are provided to secure the handle to the cart, dual sheaths70 are provided on the outer surface of one of the walls of the articleof luggage 10 to enable both longitudinal handle posts 52 to be insertedtherethrough after the article of luggage 10 has been inflated, and asthe dual telescoping handle assembly is attached to the wheeledplatform.

According to still yet other embodiments (not shown), including boththose with single and dual telescoping post pulling/pushing handles, thecase 10 can be provided with a compartment and a cut-out portion 33 inthe outer surface thereof, between the outer covering 29 of the case andthe bladder wall 22, in which the telescoped handle 52 is stored whenthe case is deflated, and from wherein the handle is extendable when thecase is inflated. The cut-out portion 33 can be provided with a cover 29attached by means of a zipper or snap closures, which cover closes andconceals the opening in the outer surface of the case when thepulling/pushing handle is telescoped and contained in the compartment.In these embodiments, the wheeled base 68 of the cart attaches directlyto one end of the inflated case, such as by snap closures. Theseembodiments have the advantage that only the wheeled base of the cartneeds to be carried separately from the deflated case, because thetelescoping pulling/pushing handle assembly itself is concealed withinthe cut-out portion 33 of the case for carrying purposes and does nothave to be carried separately from the deflated case.

An article of luggage 10 according to the present invention may alsoinclude and be provided with inflation means 48 for inflating thebladder 20. Typically, the inflation means 48 is selected from the groupconsisting of: a separate, hand-held, mechanical air pump, and a sealedcompressed gas cartridge which when inserted into the fluid inlet 12 andoutlet valve 14 and is punctured to release the compressed gas contentscauses inflation of the case. A small manual air pump 48 that may becarried with the inflated case is shown in FIG. 1. A separatecompartment or pocket may be provided on the outer surface of the casein which to carry the air pump.

One important and practical feature of an article of luggage 10according to the present invention is that it is collapsible andfoldable, when in the deflated state, so that it may conveniently andcompactly be stored.

Generally, preferred embodiments of an article of luggage 10 accordingto the present invention include the following elements: an inflatableair-tight bladder 20, made from a flexible material, forming an innerset of sidewalls 36 and frame of the piece of luggage 10, when inflated,capable of supporting a weight of objects placed in the luggage, withoutdeforming; an outer fabric 30 covering that covers the inflatable frameand additionally forms a soft top and bottom of the piece of luggage;closure means 16 surrounding at least a portion of an outer periphery ofthe piece of luggage when in an inflated condition, alternativelypositionable in a closed position to close the object-carrying space ofthe piece of luggage and in a open position to enable access to theobject-carrying space of the piece of luggage; rolling means 50,attachable to the piece of luggage 10 when in an inflated condition, forenabling rolling movement of the piece of luggage over the ground; andhandle means 52 attachable to the piece of luggage when in an inflatedcondition, for enabling the piece of luggage 10 to be pulled or pushedover the ground in conjunction with the rolling means, such as a wheeledmember 51.

One preferred embodiment of an article of luggage 10 according to thepresent invention includes: a fluid-tight bladder 20, made from aflexible, fluid-impervious, and puncture-resistant material, the bladder20 having a first, outer wall 22 and a second, inner wall 24, the outerand inner walls being formed alternatively from two separate flat sheetsof material that are sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner alongcorresponding opposite sides 28 of the sheets, or from a single sheet ofmaterial with opposite sides that are sealed to one another in afluid-tight manner, to form a sleeve 27, and with opposite ends of theside-sealed sleeve 27 formed from the one or two sheets of materialfurther being sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner, to form anenclosed volume 11, wherein the outer and inner walls 22 and 24 of thebladder 20 cooperatively define a space therebetween for enclosing avolume of an inflation fluid, the space having a maximum inflatedthickness predetermined by the nature of the inner and outer wallmaterial and the size of a space left between the inner and outer walls22 and 24, and such that when inflated, the bladder 20 forms a closed,continuous, semi-rigid element of predetermined maximum inflatedthickness, that defines a sidewall 36 of a case, which itself defines anobject-carrying volume 11 of the case, the bladder 20 beingalternatively inflatable with a fluid and deflatable by the removal ofthe fluid therefrom, and so constructed that it is capable of supportinga weight of objects placed in the object-carrying volume 11 of the casewithout substantial deformation of the outer wall of the sidewall, andsuch that the inner wall 22 of the bladder 20 faces toward an interiorof the case 10 and the outer wall 24 of the bladder 20 faces toward anexterior of the case, the bladder 20 further having a fluid inlet 12 andoutlet valve 14 for respectively inflating and deflating the bladder 20;a top wall 32 and a bottom wall 34, which together with the sidewall 36,define an enclosure 11 of the case into which objects are placeable forcarriage, the top and bottom walls being formed of a flexible,semi-rigid material, and each having an inner surface facing theinterior of the case and an outer surface facing the exterior of thecase, the top wall 32 being detachably attached to the sidewall 36 aboutat least a portion of a periphery thereof, when the sidewall 36 isinflated and the case 10 is assembled in an object-carrying mode; anouter fabric covering 30 that covers the inner and outer walls of thesidewall and the inner and outer surfaces (girdle) of the top and bottomwalls, and protects the bladder 20 from being punctured, the outerfabric covering 30 being made from a flexible, fluid-impervious andpuncture-resistant material; closure means 16, attached to the top wallalong the portion of the periphery of the top wall 32 that is indetachable attachment to the corresponding portion of the periphery ofthe sidewall 36 when the case 10 is inflated in the object-carryingmode, for alternatively opening and closing the attachment between thetop wall 32 and the sidewall 36; carrying means 18 attached to theoutside of the case over the outer fabric covering 30 and to the outerwall of the sidewall 36, for carrying the case when inflated in theobject-carrying mode; a sheath 70 attached to the outside of the outerfabric covering 30 along a length of the bottom wall 34, through which atelescoping pulling/pushing handle 52 is insertable when the case isinflated in the object-carrying mode; a telescoping pulling/pushinghandle 52, having a telescoping shaft 57 that is insertable through thesheath 70 on the outside of the bottom wall 34 when the case 10 isinflated in the object-carrying mode, the pulling/pushing handle 52further having a hand-grip 66, perpendicular to the shaft 57, at aproximal end 62 thereof, and means, at a distal end 61 of thetelescoping pulling/pushing handle, for attaching the pulling/pushinghandle to a wheeled rolling means 51 for the case when in the inflatedobject-carrying mode; and wheeled rolling means for supporting the casewhen in the inflated, object- carrying mode, and to which attachment ofthe telescoping pulling/pushing handle is made, for enabling the case tobe wheeled about when in the inflated, object-carrying mode, such thatthe case is collapsible and foldable, when in the deflated state.

One especially preferred embodiment of a soft-sided article of luggage10 with an inflatable frame, according to the present inventionincludes: an inner frame made of a fluid-tight bladder 20, made from aflexible, fluid-impervious, and puncture-resistant material, the bladder20 having a first, outer wall and a second, inner wall, the outer andinner walls being formed alternatively from two separate flat sheets ofmaterial that are sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner alongcorresponding opposite sides of the sheets, or from a single sheet ofmaterial with opposite sides that are sealed to one another in afluid-tight manner, to form a sleeve 27, wherein there is a plurality ofseparate individual fluid-tight chambers 40 that are internally in atleast partial fluid communication with one another, the plurality offluid-tight chambers 40 being formed by the provision of a plurality ofribs 26 in the material of at least one of the outer and inner walls,which thereby form a plurality of tubular chambers 40 which are notcompletely fluid-isolated from one another, upon inflation, and withopposite ends of the side-sealed sleeve 27 formed from the one or twosheets of material further being sealed to one another in a fluid-tightmanner, to form an enclosed volume 11, wherein the outer and inner wallsof the bladder 20 cooperatively define a space therebetween forenclosing a volume of an inflation fluid, the space having a maximuminflated thickness predetermined by the nature of the inner and outerwall material and the size of a space left between the inner and outerwalls, and such that when inflated, the bladder 20 forms a closed,continuous, semi-rigid element of predetermined maximum inflatedthickness, that defines a sidewall 36 of a case, which itself defines anobject-carrying volume 11 of the case, such that in the inflated state,the sidewall 36 has four right angles and four linear side segmentsarranged in a generally rectangular shape, when viewed from theperspective of the top or bottom wall, with two pairs of parallel sidesegments of the sidewall that are perpendicular to one another, a firstpair of parallel side segments of the sidewall having a first length,and a second pair of parallel side segments of the sidewall that areperpendicular to the first pair of side segments of the sidewall havinga second length, which is different from the length of the first pair ofparallel side segments of the sidewall, the bladder 20 beingalternatively inflatable with a fluid and deflatable by the removal ofthe fluid therefrom, and being so constructed that it is capable ofsupporting a weight of objects placed in the object-carrying volume 11of the case without substantial deformation of the outer wall of thesidewall, and such that the inner wall of the bladder 20 faces toward aninterior of the case and the outer wall of the bladder 20 faces towardan exterior of the case, the bladder 20 further having a fluid inlet 12and outlet valve 14 for respectively inflating and deflating the bladder20; a top wall 32 and a bottom wall 34, which together with the sidewall36, define an enclosure 11 of the case into which objects are placeablefor carriage, the top and bottom walls being formed of a flexible,semi-rigid material, and each having an inner surface facing theinterior of the case and an outer surface facing the exterior of thecase, the top wall being detachably attached to the sidewall about atleast a portion of a periphery thereof, when the sidewall is inflatedand the case is assembled in an object-carrying mode; an outer fabriccovering 30 that covers the inner and outer walls of the sidewall andthe inner and outer surfaces of the top and bottom walls, and protectsthe bladder 20 from being punctured, the outer fabric covering 30 beingmade from a flexible, fluid-impervious and puncture-resistant material;zippered closure means 16, attached to a juncture of the top wall andthe sidewall of the case and extending around a three linear sidesegment portion of the periphery of the juncture, such that the threelinear side segments of the case around which the zippered closure means16 extends are an upper and two side linear side segments of the topwall and the sidewall of the case, as viewed from the perspective of thetop or bottom wall of the case when in an inflated state, with the casestanding vertically on a fourth, lower linear side segment of thesidewall along which the zippered closure means 16 does not extend; atleast one carrying handle 18, attached to the outside of the case overthe outer fabric covering 30 and to the outer wall of the sidewall 36,or to the top and bottom walls of the case, for carrying the case whenin the inflated state and in the object-carrying mode; a sheath 70, madefrom the same material as the outer fabric covering of the case,attached to the outside of the outer fabric covering 30 along a lengthof the bottom wall 34, through which a pulling/pushing handle 52 isinsertable when the case 10 is in an inflated state and in theobject-carrying mode; a telescoping pulling/pushing handle 52, having atelescoping longitudinal shaft element 57 that is insertable through thesheath 70 on the outside of the bottom wall 34 when the case is inflatedin the object-carrying mode, and having a plurality of first parts ofsnap closures on a bracket 72 mounted transversely to the longitudinalshaft element for detachable attachment to corresponding second parts ofsnap closures 74 mounted on the outer fabric covering 30 of the case 10,the pulling/pushing handle further having a hand-grip 66, transverse tothe longitudinal shaft element, at a proximal end 62 thereof, and atleast one set screw element 59, at a distal end 61 of the longitudinalshaft of the telescoping pulling/pushing handle, for attaching thepulling/pushing handle to a wheeled rolling member 51 for the case, whenthe case is in the inflated object-carrying mode; and a wheeled rollingmember 51 for enabling rolling movement of the case and for supportingthe case when in the inflated, object-carrying mode, and to whichattachment of the telescoping pulling/pushing handle is made, forenabling the case 10 to be wheeled about when in the inflated,object-carrying mode, the wheeled rolling member 51 including a pair ofwheels 54 attached to an axle 56 that is rotatably mounted on a supportframe 58 upon which a wall of the case is positionable; such that thecase is collapsible and foldable, when in the deflated state.

Still another preferred embodiment of an article of luggage 10 accordingto the present invention includes: an air-tight bladder 20, made from aflexible material, the bladder 20 having a first, outer wall 22 and asecond, inner wall 24, the outer and inner walls being formedalternatively from the group consisting of: two separate flat sheets ofmaterial, each having a length with a first pair of parallel sides in alongitudinal direction and a width, with a second pair of parallel sidesin a transverse direction, such that the two sheets are sealed to oneanother in a fluid-tight manner along corresponding opposite sides ofthe sheets in the longitudinal direction, to form a sleeve 27 that isdual side-sealed and open-ended, with one sheet forming the outer wallof the bladder 20 and the other sheet forming the inner wall of thebladder 20; and one flat sheet of material, having a length with a firstpair of parallel sides in a longitudinal direction, and a width, with asecond pair of parallel sides in a transverse direction, with the sheetbeing folded in half along its entire length, such that oppositelongitudinal ends are sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner,along the entire length, to form a sleeve 27, that is side sealed andopen-ended, with one half of the sheet forming the outer wall of thebladder 20 and the other half of the sheet forming the inner wall of thebladder 20; and with opposite transverse ends of the side-sealed,open-ended sleeve 27 formed from the one or two sheets of material in(i) or (ii) further being sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner,to form a closed continuous sleeve bladder 20, defining a first enclosedvolume internal to the sleeve 27, wherein the outer and inner walls ofthe bladder 20 cooperatively define a space therebetween, for enclosinga volume of an inflation fluid, the space having a maximum inflatedthickness predetermined by the nature of the inner and outer wallmaterial and the size of a space left between the inner and outer walls,and such that when inflated, the bladder 20 forms a closed, continuous,semi-rigid element of predetermined maximum inflated thickness, thatdefines a sidewall of a case, which itself defines a second,object-carrying volume 11 of the case, the bladder 20 beingalternatively inflatable with a fluid and deflatable by the removal ofthe fluid therefrom, and being so constructed that it is capable ofsupporting a weight of objects placed in the object-carrying volume 11of the case 10 without substantial deformation of the outer wall of thesidewall 36, and such that the inner wall of the bladder 20 faces towardan interior of the case and the outer wall of the bladder 20 facestoward an exterior of the case, the bladder 20 further having a fluidinlet 12 and outlet valve 14 for respectively inflating and deflatingthe bladder 20; a top wall and a bottom wall, which together with thesidewall 36, define an enclosure 11 of the case into which objects areplaceable for carriage, the top and bottom walls being formed of aflexible, semi-rigid material, and each having an inner surface facingthe interior of the case and an outer surface facing the exterior of thecase 10, the top wall 32 being detachably attached to the sidewall 36about at least a portion of a periphery thereof, when the sidewall36 isinflated and the case is assembled in an object-carrying mode; an outerfabric covering 30 that covers the inner and outer walls of the sidewalland the inner and outer surfaces of the top and bottom walls, andprotects the bladder 20 from being punctured, the outer fabric coveringbeing made from a flexible, fluid-impervious and puncture-resistantmaterial; at least one closure means 16, alternatively openable andcloseable, for allowing access to the object-carrying volume 11 of thecase when in the inflated state; carrying means 18 attached to theoutside of the case 10 over the outer fabric covering 30 and to theouter wall of the sidewall 36, for carrying the case when it is inflatedin the object-carrying mode; and means for pulling or pushing the casealong the ground when it is inflated in the object-carrying mode.

In any of the above preferred embodiments, the telescopingpushing/pulling handle 52 alternatively can be a single longitudinalpost telescoping handle or a dual longitudinal post telescoping handle.

Inflated articles of luggage 10 according to the present invention arebuoyant in water, especially when emptied of contents. Accordingly, suchinflated articles of luggage 10 can be utilized as emergency flotationdevices.

The embodiments of an article of inflatable luggage according to thepresent invention described hereinabove are illustrative and are notintended to be limiting. Other embodiments of an article of luggageaccording to the present invention will be readily apparent to personsof ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the present invention isdetermined by the set of claims that follow.

1. An article of luggage comprising: a.) a case including a fluid-tightbladder, made from a flexible, fluid-impervious, and puncture-resistantmaterial, the bladder having a first, outer wall and a second, innerwall, the outer and inner walls forming an enclosed volume, forcontaining a volume of an inflation fluid, the space having a maximuminflated thickness predetermined by the nature of the inner and outerwall material and the size of a space left between the inner and outerwalls, and such that when inflated, the bladder forms a closed,continuous, semi-rigid element of predetermined maximum inflatedthickness, that defines a sidewall of the case, the bladder beingalternatively inflatable with a fluid and deflatable by the removal ofthe fluid therefrom, and being so constructed that it is capable ofsupporting a weight of objects placed in the object-carrying volume ofthe case without substantial deformation of the outer wall of thesidewall, and such that the inner wall of the bladder faces toward aninterior of the case and the outer wall of the bladder faces toward anexterior of the case, the bladder further having means for alternativelyinflating and deflating the bladder; b.) a top wall and a bottom wall,which together with the sidewall, define an object-carrying enclosure ofthe case, the top and bottom walls being formed of a flexible material,each having an inner surface facing the interior of the case and anouter surface facing the exterior of the case, the top wall being atleast partially detachably attached to the sidewall about at least aportion of a periphery thereof, when the sidewall is inflated and thecase is assembled in an object-carrying mode; c.) an outer fabriccovering that covers the inner and outer walls of the sidewall and theinner and outer surfaces of the top and bottom walls, and protects thebladder from being punctured, the outer fabric covering being made froma flexible, fluid-impervious and puncture-resistant material; d.) atleast one closure means, alternatively openable and closeable, forrespectively opening and closing the at least partially detachablyattached top wall so as to allow access to the object-carrying volume ofthe case when in the inflated state; e.) carrying means attached to theoutside of the case over the outer fabric covering and to the outer wallof the sidewall, for carrying the case when it is inflated in theobject-carrying mode; and f.) case transport means, detachablyattachable to the case when the case is in an inflated condition, forpulling or pushing the case along the ground when it is inflated.
 2. Thearticle of luggage according to claim 1, wherein the bladder is formedalternatively from two separate flat sheets of material that are sealedto one another in a fluid-tight manner along corresponding oppositesides of the sheets, or from a single sheet of material with oppositesides that are sealed to one another in a fluid-tight manner, to form asleeve, and with opposite ends of the side-sealed sleeve formed from theone or two sheets of material further being sealed to one another in afluid-tight manner to contain a volume of inflation fluid when thearticle of luggage is inflated.
 3. The article of luggage according toclaim 1, wherein the outer and inner walls of the bladder are formed soas to provide a plurality of fluid-tight chambers in fluid communicationwith one another, by the provision of a plurality of ribs in thematerial of at least one of the outer and inner walls, which form aplurality of tubular chambers.
 4. The article of luggage according toclaim 1, wherein the bladder is shaped, and an object-carrying volume ofthe case in an inflated state is thereby defined, such that the sidewallhas an inflated configuration selected from the group consisting of: aconfiguration that includes a plurality of angles and a correspondingplurality of linear side segments between the angles; a configurationthat includes at least one arcuate side segment; and a configurationthat includes at least one linear side segment and at least one arcuateside segment.
 5. The article of luggage according to claim 3, whereinthe sidewall has a configuration with a single continuous arcuatesection.
 6. The article of luggage according to claim 3, wherein thesidewall has an inflated configuration that includes at least one linearside segment and at least one arcuate side segment.
 7. The article ofluggage according to claim 1, wherein the inflation means is a fluidinlet and outlet valve.
 8. The article of luggage according to claim 1,wherein at least one closure means in (d) is positioned in a locationselected from the group consisting of: the top wall of the case, thebottom wall of the case, the sidewall of the case, and at a junction ofat least one segment of the sidewall of the case with at least onesegment of the top or bottom wall of the case.
 9. The article of luggageaccording to claim 1, wherein the closure means in 1(d) is attached to ajuncture of the top wall and the sidewall of the case and extends aroundsubstantially the entire circumference of the juncture.
 10. The articleof luggage according to claim 1, wherein the bladder is made from a softand pliable plastic or rubber material.
 11. The article of luggageaccording to claim 1, wherein the inflation fluid is a gas.
 12. Thearticle of luggage according to claim 1, wherein the bladder issurrounded by a girdle of a material that maintains the shape of thecase when inflated and helps to prevent ballooning or the formation of abulge or an aneurysm in the bladder, if the bladder becomes over-inflated.
 13. The article of luggage according to claim 3, wherein theoverall case shape-imparting angles in the bladder are formed so thatthey have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the bladder ata sidewall portion so that an angular bend can be made therein withoutcausing a bulge or high pressure stress point in the bladder at anangular bend in the bladder.
 14. The article of luggage according toclaim 1, wherein the means for pulling or pushing the case along theground when it is inflated in the object-carrying mode, in (f), includesa wheeled member with wheels, to which the case is attachable, and apulling and pushing handle that is attachable to at least one of thecase and the wheeled member, by which the case is pullable or pushable.15. The article of luggage according to claim 14, wherein the wheeledmember includes a pair of wheels attached to an axle that is rotatablymounted on a support frame upon which a wall of the case ispositionable.
 16. The article of luggage according to claim 14 furtherincluding attachment means for detachably attaching the case to thesupport frame of the wheeled member.
 17. The article of luggageaccording to claim 14, wherein the pulling and pushing handle includes alongitudinal element, having a length, a distal end for attachment tothe wheeled member, and a proximal end for grasping, such that thepulling and pushing handle extends from a place of attachment to thewheeled member at its distal end, at least beyond a largest dimensionsof the case when attached to the wheeled member, regardless of theorientation of the case thereon, so that the pulling and pushing handleis graspable about its proximal end, and such that the longitudinalelement of the pulling and pushing handle has sufficient rigidity toenable a case in the inflated state and in a loaded object-carrying modeto be pulled or pushed without buckling in resistance to a weight of thecase and its contents.
 18. The article of luggage according to claim 14,wherein the pulling and pushing handle is attachable to the case byattachment means, when the case is in the inflated state.
 19. Thearticle of luggage according to claim 18, wherein the attachment meansincludes at least one element selected from the group consisting of: asheath fixed to the outside of the outer fabric covering of the case,along a length of one of the walls of the case, through which the handleis insertable, and at least one detachable fastener for detachablyfastening the handle to the outer fabric covering of the case.
 20. Anarticle of luggage comprising: a.) an inflatable air-tight bladder, madefrom a flexible material forming an inner set of sidewalls and frame ofthe piece of luggage, when inflated, capable of supporting a weight ofobjects placed in the luggage, without deforming; b.) an outer fabriccovering that covers the inflatable frame and additionally forms a softtop and bottom of the piece of luggage; c.) closure means surrounding atleast a portion of an outer periphery of the piece of luggage when in aninflated condition, alternatively positionable in a closed position toclose the object-carrying space of the piece of luggage and in a openposition to enable access to the object-carrying space of the piece ofluggage; d.) rolling means, attachable to the piece of luggage when inan inflated condition, for enabling rolling movement of the piece ofluggage over the ground; and e.) handle means attachable to the piece ofluggage when in an inflated condition, for enabling the piece of luggageto be pulled or pushed over the ground in conjunction with the rollingmeans.